I went straight to court after stepping off the plane and officially adopted Chris Guillebeau, all speakers, workshop leaders, attendees, volunteers, and ushers, as my new family, my tribe. It's official!

There is so much to say about the weekend and so much more that I have no words for that I decided to share a bit about the first speaker and about Chris Guilleabeau's parting words, and how it has changed my life.

My CAD or as Brené Brown calls it, "Conference Anxiety Disorder" has been healed! Brené suggested that we adopt the affirmation, "No one belongs here more than me."

And I did, all weekend long. When I felt insecure. When I felt unworthy. When I thought, "I'm too old." When I was tempted to compare myself to others. I used that line and followed Brene's instructions to "operate from the place that I'm worthy and loving and I deserve to be seen."

How about we teach that to the children of the world? How about solving the bullying issues with that? How about we use those words to push through our fears? How about we adopt that belief to gain the courage and confidence to create a new world by living our dreams?

Can I get a "hell yeah?"

Me to self: "I'm going to love you in a way that takes my breath away!" Thank you, Brené Brown, for taking me to a new level of self-love. This idea was only one gem of her power packed presentation.

I feel like there is nothing better than face-to-face and flesh-to-flesh connection and the love I feel when I'm with people who "get" me, the very first moment they "see" me.

I was taken to a deeper level within myself, a place I've never been before. I was transformed by the positive, uplifting energy, service, and generosity of everyone around me.

I witnessed the "oneness" that we are and the "oneness" that we share. I'm done with the words we use to separate ourselves…Baby Boomer, Gen X, Gen Y, Millennial. We all want the same thing and we're all creating the same thing … a more loving world for everyone.

I heard stories and stories and stories and they became my stories. Our stories.

We really only need to remember that we are "love" and we can change things when we act with "love."

I came away with a head filled with bigger dreams of service and a heart exploding with deeper compassion.

I made a commitment to take action, more action than I've ever taken before.

Unheard of and uncommon action.

The final 10 minutes

Chris Guillebeau was born under a special star. He is sharing his light with everyone. Chris doesn't allow selling or sponsorship of any kind at WDS. His intention is to keep it "pure."

During the last 10 minutes of the summit, Chris came on stage and shared with everyone that an anonymous 2011 WDSer donated $100,000 dollars to his cause.

Then he told us that he was going to invest $100 in each of the 1000 attendees. We would each receive a $100 bill in an envelope as we left the theater.

The message in the envelope read:

Thanks for making #WDS2012 a fantastic experience. We’d love to see how you can put these funds to good use. Start a project, surprise someone, or do something entirely different – it’s up to you.

I have no idea what I'll do with the money. I happily accept the responsibility.

Today I continue to feel gratitude and bliss in every cell of my body.

I've changed the words to Kermit Frog's, The Rainbow Connection. Hum along and enjoy!

THE WDS LOVE CONNECTION

Why are there so many
Songs about love
And what's on the other side

Dreams are visions
Love is not an illusion
And love has nothing to hide
So we've been told
And some choose to believe it
You'll know by our service wait and see

Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When joined together as one
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it's done so far
What's so amazing
That keeps us love gazing
What so we think we might see

Have you been half asleep
And have you heard voices
I've heard them calling my name
Are these the sweet sounds that called
The young sailors
I think they're one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
There's something that I'm supposed to be

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I was just thinking about you and wondering how the summit was, and there was your post! I’m SO happy for you, Tess! Your inspired energy is contagious! You are already doing so many amazing things, and I’m so excited to see what comes next. I’m just so grateful to be on the journey with you. You’re so wonderful. So glad you went! Hugs and love to you!

Tess, I started out my day feeling really happy, but just reading your post sent me off into the stratosphere of joy. Thank you so much. I’ve been waiting to hear about your experiences and it pretty much sounds like bliss to me.

Your joy is *radiant*. I love it. I love the feeling of reading your words and knowing the authenticity that is behind (and beyond) them. There is nothing like the feeling of knowing with certainty that one has the answer (love) and when we create from such a space we are unstoppable…

Thank you for sharing as you do 🙂 I am excited to see what you create from this overflowing well of Spirit!

TessJuly 11, 2012, 6:52 pm

Joy,
I can’t wait to share it with you. Thanks for believing in me and all of your wonderful support.

Tess…Tears in my eyes are I read. To be in a group where you are loved, seen, and heard for who you are is a rapturous experience. Once you experience it, the feeling of oneness with and love for everyone becomes a part of your foundation.

Needless to say, I’m thrilled for you. Your love and inspiration is bountiful…and now it will grow exponentially….of that I’m sure….with love, fran

P.S. I’m in for next year.

TessJuly 11, 2012, 6:54 pm

Fran,
You need to get your name on the early sign up list so they will contact you when it is open for ticket sales. We can be roommates. I was by myself this year. Thanks for your lovely words, interest, and support. Here’s to WDS 2013. xo

I read this post and it made me want to rush out and do something. And I did. I am back today to comment. I loved the “hell, yeah” ! Hell, Yeah! Your words are amazing-inspiring, Tess. I believe that July is my best month and after I read your post a second time, (like a prayer :D) I made a list of what I wanted to do to make it memorable.

Actually, I wondered how the WDS went, because I remembered your post about your anxiety 🙂 while you were preparing to attend. I am thrilled to read what you had to share here. Hugs. I am blessed to know you, Tess! Shine on! Love, Vidya

TessJuly 12, 2012, 5:58 am

Vidya,
You are a very loving person and friend. Thanks so much for caring and joining the movement. It would be glorious to see you there next year.xo

I’ve been to some amazing events but nothing could top this one. I can feel the energy radiating through you and your words. Actually, ‘radiating’ is too small of a word. I can feel very high levels of electricity flowing, ready to make contact and charge everything you touch.

I’m doing everything in my power to make it to WDS next year. I can hardly imagine the feelings of being in the midst of such an amazing group of people!

I absolutely loved reading this Tess! What a life changing experience! I could really relate to being anxious about attending as an introvert so what a wonderful affirmation ‘No one belongs here more than me’.

What really resonated as well was ‘I’m going to love you in a way that takes my breath away’. That level of self love is awesome.

It is clear that WDS is truly a life changing experience. Thank you so much for sharing it! I’m off to get on the early bird list!
Claire

It would be great if you could bottle that conference experience. I would buy it 🙂

It speaks volumes to his character that he gave all attendees $100, and fitting as well with the title of his book (although I am sure most attendees probably have a certain level of success through their blog/business). I am working my way through my copy of the book. Thanks.

Hey Tess! Wow, I really loved your wrap-up on WDS! You pretty much nailed it. Here’s one of my faves:

“I witnessed the “oneness” that we are and the “oneness” that we share. I’m done with the words we use to separate ourselves…Baby Boomer, Gen X, Gen Y, Millennial. We all want the same thing and we’re all creating the same thing … a more loving world for everyone. ”

Amen, sister! I’m here with you. Believe it or not, in this online/bloggy stuff “Gen X’s” can feel past their freshness date. We’re all in this together. The FACT is, the longer on Earth, the more we have to teach our younger peers… If nothing else, ways to quicken their own enlightenment and knowledge.

And that’s what The Bold Life does for lots of people, including myself. Such a pleasure meeting you at Prasad. How many times? 5 times with the juicing? Hahahaha. We’re cut from the same cloth.

Much love and continued Action ACTION ACTION. You’re right, the world needs it.